---
title: "Instrument runway — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IV, Regulation (EU) No 139/2014: ‘instrument runway’ means one of the following types of runways intended for…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/instrument-runway"
---

# instrument runway

EASA defines “instrument runway” in one regulation, with a separate wording for each case. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

> ‘instrument runway’ means one of the following types of runways intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures:
>
> 1\. ‘non-precision approach runway’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one nonvisual aid, intended for landing operations following a type A instrument approach operation;
>
> 2\. ‘precision approach runway, category I’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT I instrument approach operation;
>
> 3\. ‘precision approach runway, category II’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT II instrument approach operation;
>
> 4\. ‘precision approach runway, category III’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT III instrument approach operation;

Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IV · Aerodromes · Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 13 Mar 2026 revision · [Read the article](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aerodromes/definitions/powers-and-recitals#definitions-for-terms-used-in-annexes-ii-to-iv)

> ‘Instrument runway’ means one of the following types of runways intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures:
>
> 1\. ‘Non-precision approach runway’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type A instrument approach operation.
>
> 2\. ‘Precision approach runway, Category I’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one nonvisual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT I instrument approach operation.
>
> 3\. ‘Precision approach runway, Category II’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one nonvisual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT II instrument approach operation.
>
> 4\. ‘Precision approach runway, Category III’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one nonvisual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT III instrument approach operation.

CS ADR-DSN.A.002 · Aerodromes · Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 13 Mar 2026 revision · [Read CS ADR-DSN.A.002](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aerodromes/cs-adr-dsn/chapter-a-general#cs-adr-dsn-a-002)

## Defined in the same article

- [\[aerodrome\] traffic density](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-traffic-density)
- [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available)
- [acceptable means of compliance (AMC)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptable-means-of-compliance)
- [accuracy](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accuracy)
- [aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome)
- [Aerodrome beacon](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-beacon)
- [aerodrome control service](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-control-service)
- [Aerodrome elevation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-elevation)